The University of Manchester's Jodrell Bank Observatory opened the Square Kilometre Array Global Headquarters in July of 2019 in Macclesfield in the United Kingdom. Designed by Hassell to support collaborative research in radio astronomy, the 45,200-sf facility will act as a global nexus for astrophysics, accommodating over 1,000 investigators from 16 countries. Offering a conference center with a 160-seat auditorium, the headquarters features an advanced infrastructure with leading-edge video conferencing technologies to connect teams spread over 20 time zones. The Operations Monitoring Centre enables researchers to remotely manage the telescopes around the clock. The sustainably designed structure includes thermal zoning controls, dark-sky compliant external lighting, and electric vehicle recharging stations. Construction began on the £16.5 million expansion project in 2017. The facility was built by engineering and construction firm Sir Robert McAlpine.
